Warriors, Panthers leave for 2006 UniGames today

The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers athletic delegations will leave for Bacolod City on high spirits today as they bid for an impressive showing in the 2006 National University Games starting on Monday.

The Warriors will be represented by their football and men's volleyball team, which won the championship crown in the 2006 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., (CESAFI) competition.

The Panthers, on the other hand, will be sending their women's volleyball and track and field teams.

Their women's volleyball squad finished second to University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars while their track and field squad won eight gold medals in the CESAFI to finish second to University of Cebu Webmasters.

The gold medalists were Harren Melendez in the 110m hurdles, Mary Rose Arman in the 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m, Ryancel Ledamo in the 800m, Andy Surban in javelin throw, Mendel Lopez and Eugene Delposo, who will be the bets for the 5,000m.

Suported by former Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Jonathan Guardo, the team will be accompanied by Edward Beronia as head coach and John Ronald Arnejo as assistant coach.

Meanwhile, the playing venues of the 11 events to be played in the 11th National University Games will be scattered in various places in Bacolod City with the University of St. La Salle as host to the men and women's chess, lawn tennis, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and basketball as well as sepak takraw and men's football.

The West Negros College Gym will also stage some of the basketball games, while the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos field will be used as a venue for a number of football matches.

The Panaad Oval will be used for the athletics competitions, while Riverside College is the official playing venue for the men and women's badminton and taekwondo tournaments.